Trips Home

Well, I am back after a trip home to Illinois.  Some thoughts after my trip:

- I can go years without seeing people, yet I can reconnect with them as if no time has passed.  Whether it was six months ago or thirteen years, I was able to pick right up with people.

- My family and friends have some amazing children that are beautiful and intelligent.

- Chicago and Freeport are my homes.  I miss the city, the landscape and the people. This trip confirmed my feelings that distance is becoming more tiresome.

- It is possible to work at places where you do think of people as family (dysfunctional  but still family). I think of their feelings, their families, and health even after many years.

- It felt great to be silly.  Going around town taking photos, setting a dare, and jamming in the car even though we were parked outside the house were just moments of joy. 

What did I do on my trip home?

- Went to dinner at a restaurant that I used to frequent a lot when I lived in Freeport.  I realized that I hadn't been there since my dad died.  At least, I think that is true.

- Spent time with a friend that I had not seen since my dad's wake - 13 years ago.

- Met my mom's new husband, or I should say, was reintroduced to my mom's new husband.

- Visited the college where my dad taught for many years.

- Had lunch with a longtime family friend at a new version of a place I once worked.

- Visited the cemetery.

- Went out bar hopping with friends from high school.

- Took photos around Freeport with my mom.  I focused on Lincoln and Pretzel related items, but I also took photos of buildings that I liked or places that had meaning.

- Stopped by my childhood home but couldn't go into the backyard.  Seeing landscaping from my father was enough to start the tears flowing.

- Lunch (Culverized) with family.

- Spent time with the town's citizen of the year (my sister).

- Went to the release party for Bell's Oberon and met Larry Bell.

- Spent time hanging out with my best friend's kids who are brilliant and funny.

- Went to Three Floyd's Brewery for beer tasting.

- Went to White Fence Farm for chicken tasting.

- Went to Village Tap, an old haunt, to realize that I am becoming old.

- Napped.

- Watched children dye eggs, a favorite childhood activity.

- Went to another old haunt, Lincoln Tap Room, to watch college basketball with friends.

- Went to breakfast with two former co-workers who are also longtime friends.

- Had Easter brunch at my sister's house

- Thought a lot about where I am at in my life and the steps I want to take in the coming months.